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Malcolm · 19-04-2009, 03:45 PM

TT Press Launch - This Monday the 20th of April @ the Villa Marina
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All of the leading teams and riders will be heading to the Isle of Man to launch the 2009 TT Races. The free entry event, scheduled for this Monday the 20th April, will be held at the Villa Marina on Douglas Promenade and will give fans an early insight into the road racing season with doors opening at 1800hrs with the event due to start at 1900hrs.

The line up will be lead by the factory supported HM Plant Honda team of John McGuinness and Steve Plater, who will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Honda racing’s TT debut. Many of Honda’s iconic figures from the company’s development and history are expected to attend the races this year to celebrate the anniversary. Fans will be able to get a close up look at both riders latest spec Superbike machines for the TT, which will be on display at the event.

This year’s launch event will see last year’s double champion Cameron Donald coming back to the Island for the first time since those heady days last summer when he stunned the pre-race favourites to take the Superbike and Superstock titles. His antipodean team-mate Bruce Anstey will also be sharing his early season thoughts.

Fans favourite Guy Martin will be entertaining fans with his own brand of unique humour and outlining the preparation that he, and his many supporters, hope will result in a debut TT victory this year. The chat show line up will also include Gary Johnson, Ian Hutchinson, Ryan Farquhar, Adrian Archibald, Chris Palmer, James Hillier Keith Amor, Michael Rutter, Michael Dunlop and Ian Lougher, who will be competing in his 100th TT race when he starts the Superbike race on 6th of June. All of them will be hoping to feature on the podium this year and for race victories.

The sidecars will also be well represented with defending champion and lap record holder Nick Crowe sharing his thoughts on defending his crown and 13 time champion Dave Molyneux giving an early insight into how he plans to take it. Ex World Champion Tim Reeves, who achieved a podium in his debut season, will also be on hand to talk about how he is looking to improve on a stunning first year. The evening’s sidecar representatives will be completed by The Birchall Brothers, Ben and Tom, will be revealing their early experiences of the circuit ahead of their debut season.

Solo TT Newcomers Marc Fissette, Rico Penzkofer and CR Gittere will also be attending the event.

Fans will also get a chance to hear the thoughts of the new TV commentary team lined up to present the ITV and ITV4 coverage. Anchored by respected sports presenter Craig Doyle, the TV commentary team also includes racing legends Steve Parrish and Jamie Whitham, who will be providing expert analysis at the TT this year.

A free Billown TT Races cap and the latest TT Poster will be given away to all attendees on the night and there will be chances for autographs as the evening progresses.

For those of you off Island, tune into Manx Radio on 1368MW or tune in on line at http://www.manxradio.com to listen to the event live.